Mixed reaction to Armstrong Giro announcement

Lance Armstrong's decision to accept an invitation to race in the Giro d'Italia has been received with mixed emotions.

The American cycling legend revealed on Monday that he will compete at the Giro for the first time in his career.

The race will provide key conditioning ahead of the Tour de France after Armstrong announced last month that he was coming out of retirement to go for an eighth title.

Francesco Moser, who won the 1984 Giro, is stunned by Armstrong's decision and is not convinced the American will be a serious competitor again.

'At 37, to return to compete after a three-year absence is a move that I don't understand and seems to me a risky one,' he said.

'To compete at the Giro and at the Tour in the same year is no easy thing.

'It's as though I announced that I would return to compete.

'To me this seems impossible and I will only believe it when I see it.'

Some, however, believe that the seven-time Tour de France winner will silence those critics.

Among them is Angelo Zomegnan, cycling director of RCS Sport, the Giro d'Italia organiser.

He said: 'This year I believed in the possibility that Lance would return to the competition having a starring role.

'That perception became a strong possibility after his extraordinary performance on 9 August in the 100 miles of Leadville race in the Rocky Mountains, where he came in second... and the information I was given was that he (Armstrong) was flying!

'I officially invited Lance to the 2009 Giro d'Italia on 29 September, as it coincided with my trip to Austin, Texas, where Armstrong lives.'

Giseppe Saronni, winner of the 1979 and 1983 Giro, is happy that Armstrong will finally race at the Giro.

'I'm not a fan of comebacks,' admitted Saronni. 'But that of Lance Armstrong is different, because knowing him, if he has decided to do it, it is because he feels he can still achieve important things.

'If someone like him decides to come out of retirement it is because he is certain that he can be competitive. He will make those that want to win the maglia rosa (pink jersey) work hard.

'I am delighted. I have always been a fan of Armstrong and I believe his return will only bring curiosity and interest to the sport.'

Armstrong retired in 2005 following his seventh consecutive victory in Le Tour de France, but signed for Team Astana last month, where he will race alongside the 2008 Giro d'Italia winner Alberto Contador.